Collapsible sports goal

ABSTRACT

A collapsible goal frame having a collapsed position and an expanded position formed of a plurality of telescopic members operatively engaged. The goal will collapse to 60 percent or less of its expanded size without the requirement of disengaging any of the members forming the goal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to sports goals. More particularly the device disclosed herein relates to frame supported nets used in games to determine a score by catching a ball or puck. Goal frameworks for impromptu or official sporting events utilizing nets such as soccer and hockey employ a net supported by a metal frame which determines the aperture size for the ball or puck to pass through and be caught by the supported net.

More particularly the present invention refers to a multi-axis, telescopically collapsible and adjustable goal structure that can be easily erected and collapsed without tools within the vertical, horizontal axises and which provides for simple installation and removal, especially in temporary sporting situations in parks, yards, beaches and other areas. In the preferred embodiments to be described herein, the device is easily stored in the collapsed state and then easily repositioned on the sports field of play. The device can provide for permanent net attachment and may be used for different sports by adjusting the height, width and length of the structure through the use of permanently interconnected telescoping crossbars.

As originally conceived, games such as hockey and soccer involving the use of a goal are played or practiced on an established, professionally maintained, permanent rink or playing field. In many informal situations, the generally flat surface of a playground, field, driveway, or street can also be used as a playing surface. In general, non-professional organized groups like schools, clubs and loosely knit amateur alliances must transport all of their own equipment, including one or more goal frames or structures, to and from the playing areas. This equipment also must be stored when not in use.

In many such sports contests, these goal markers, such as nets, are used to reference the place at which the team or player fulfills an action required to gain points in the contest. For example, Soccer, La Crosse and Hockey utilize suspended goal nets placed at differing ends of the playing field into which the ball or puck is directed to signify the scoring of a point. When playing in an area specifically designed for such a contest, often permanently mounted goals are provided. Often though, permanent goal structures are unavailable for use such as in impromptu games in a park, games held when on the road, or for practice sessions where space, time and suitable conditions exist such as previously noted. Over the years many attempts have been made to create a simple, easily constructed and easily removable portable version of such a goal net, each with the intent to provide convenience, movability, compact storage and transport. As shall be seen, prior art has many examples that employ elegant mechanical connections requiring tools, others utilizing folding and swiveling structures and still others that use various clamps and insertable pins or rods for use and, as a result, all fall short of the primary goal of ease of use as shall be described below.

2. Description of Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 3,642,282 describes a foldable hockey goal with multiple front and rear bars attached to side and bottom bars through means of various clamps, pins, nuts and bolts and hinges and which requires tools for implementation. The most obvious shortfall of this design is the great likelihood during the excitement prior to the contest of the loss of any of the pins, bolts and other small pieces which would render the device unusable. In addition, even simple tools such as are employed for the assembly and disassembly may not be available at the time or place of use.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,116,446 depicts an apparatus for supporting nets to be used during different sporting events which utilizes U-shaped clips for net constraint, horizontally inter-engaging tubular rods attached to vertical rods which are designed to be driven into the ground and having transverse rods for additional rear support attached through means of wing nuts and bolts. This approach includes the shortfall of the prior design as it potentially requires the use of tools for assembly and has many small pieces that can be misplaced. The most significant flaw is the need for emplacement of the vertical support rods into the ground. In many areas such a practice may be precluded by local environmental laws and the use of such a device on a hard surface such as a parking lot would be rendered impossible without damage to the surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,478 indicates a collapsible goal frame having a detachable front crossbar and multiple upright, rear, side and lower members. The front crossbar which is held to the structure through multiple socket engagement can be disassembled into three separate components held together via an elastic cord that is threaded longitudinally through the separate components to provide tension. The uprights and horizontal cross members are telescoping components which are held together during use by spring loaded buttons which lock into corresponding holes in each piece. Transverse support is added through the use of triangular shaped corner gussets affixed to each corner with additional socket engagements. Hinges provide for the folding of the device during storage. Once again the use of such a methodology will be compromised through the loss of any of the multiple small pieces like the socket pins and triangular supports used to maintain the attachment and stability of the device. This is a fairly likely probability during the excitement of setup and disassembly prior to and subsequent to the performance of the sports contest. As a result this approach does not meet the necessary criteria of extended multiple long term use and re-use, easy transport and portability.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,878 outlines a portable soccer goal, the slidably connected components of which are held together in the proper sequence subsequent to assembly of the device for the event through the use of elastic cords. The assembled structure is removably affixed to the surface of the playing area through the use of cables attached to the device itself and to anchoring stakes which are then driven into the playing surface. Though this approach avoids the prior noted shortfalls in above noted designs, the need for anchoring stakes for affixation of the device to the playing surface precludes use on any but surfaces into which such anchoring stakes can be driven. Such a flaw would substantially reduce the effectiveness of the device as not all locations provide such surfaces or permit such anchoring stakes to be utilized, for example as in an asphalt parking lot or a tennis court.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,643 B1 describes folding soccer goal, consisting of a goalpost, backstay bars, and a net, wherein the goalpost has a horizontal crossbar and two vertical posts foldably attached to the crossbar; the backstay bars foldably attach to the goalpost and extend outward and downward therefrom; hinged foot assembly is connected to the bottom of each vertical post wherein the foot is adapted for attachment to a playing surface. Though this design avoids most of the disadvantages associated with the plurality of loose fasteners, hooks and clips and tools for driving or tightening the same and that may also become lost in transit or storage or during assembly of a goal on a turf playing field, the issue of physical attachment to the playing surface is not sufficiently addressed. As noted in the description of the device, the hinged feet may be attached to the playing surface by driving one or more spikes through each foot, or by inserting in the playing surface spikes that are an integral part of the foot. They may also be attached in several other ways including, on some surfaces, articulating with a permanent fastener integral with the playing surface.

As can be seen from the description, either a permanent fastener is required or a soft surface into which stakes or the pointed feet can be driven is required in order to affect proper utilization of the device and that is a defect for general impromptu use where such attributes are not present. Additionally, though the device is envisioned as being nominally adjustable for individual sports, as described sport specific sizes of the device would be required for each sport to be played. This would require multiple units to be available in order to switch between sports, an unnecessary complication in logistics.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,980 Sports Goal With Collapsible Frame denotes a portable hockey or soccer goal that can be readily converted between a fully open configuration and a fully closed storage or transport configuration without requiring any assembly or disassembly and having a rear and side stabilizing assembly such that the goal has improved strength while still being collapsible into a compact carrying bag. As illustrated in the drawings accompanying the application this device is composed of a number of swiveling, rotating and hinged folding components which permit the erection from a collapsed state to an extended-for-use configuration and with the process reversed for purposes of storage. The most obvious failing of this design is the likely high cost of manufacture and assembly of the three way swiveling and pivoting couplings which are key to the design. Additionally, the need for these components to slide, swivel and rotate combined with the plurality of hinged couplings required to affect proper extension introduces unnecessary complexity to the functional aspects of the design.

While it can be seen that the prior art in the field of portable sports goals is quite developed, it is the object of this invention to fulfill the need for a portable goal that is telescopically collapsible in both the horizontal and vertical planes so that the goal can be stored in a minimal amount of space or area, yet does not require assembly or disassembly of component parts when it is being set up or broken down, and at the same time is sturdy or stable enough to withstand regular impacts commonly encountered during use. The present inventor has recognized this need and, after much trial and error, has developed a portable sports goal that is telescopically adjustable in both horizontal, longitudinal and vertical planes so that the goal can be easily carried and will fit into a small vehicle.

In addition, no assembly of the component parts of the net or frame of the goal is required during set up or break down, which make the present sports goal significantly more attractive than prior art goals noted. The device will provide for net support through the utilization of at least one horizontal support member; the net support member having two parts composed of an insertion post and a receiving member adapted to allow the post to translate within.

The preferred embodiment would provide for additional horizontal supports. A preferred embodiment of the device will collapse in at least two directions, substantially to ½ the expanded size and can be easily stored and set back up by simply extending the slidably engaged horizontal, vertical and longitudinal components to an expanded position from the collapsed position. The provision of spring actuated buttons or knobs to the slidably engaged internal components and matching apertures in the external components as is noted in more detail below provides for expansion, collapse and movement control in all planes. However, the device might be provided without the locking components in that it will have a tendency to remain in the expanded form when sitting on a field of play from the effects of friction from the playing surface and the weight of the device.

All the horizontal members would have a first member that is sized on the exterior to slidably engage in an axial cavity of a second horizontal member. All the vertical members would also have first members adapted in exterior circumference to engage within and slide inside the axial cavity within the second members that translate over the first vertical members.

While as noted, friction of the components and the playing surface on the device can provide a means for affixing the relative positions of the components, the device can also be provided with a mechanical means of fixing and releasing from affixation the relative positions of the various slidably engaged components. Such a means for affixing the components in place can be provided to the first and second members using a spring loaded depressable button switch or knob on the second member that would be biased toward the first member and engage in a corresponding aperture in the wall of the first member to hold the two members in the expanded position. Such apertures could be placed in multiple positions along the first member that were useful for adjusting the desired length, width and height of the sections as well as constraining any movement of the sections.

With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components or steps set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings, nor just to buildings. The apparatus and methods of the invention are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art once they review this disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important, therefore, that the objects and claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further objectives of this invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 displays an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the device collapsible along two axes, which would be common to all embodiments having slidable engagements of horizontal and vertical members.

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of another preferred embodiment of the device collapsible along three axes employing the telescopic translating engagement of the other embodiments with base struts also being telescopic.

FIG. 2 a depicts the device in an expanded position with net engaged.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective example of the device in a collapsed configuration where the net may remain engaged.

FIG. 4 depicts an example of a locking mechanism for the translating members of the device if employed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The device 10 as depicted in FIG. 1 displays an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the disclosed device 10 which is collapsible in two directions along both the vertical axis and horizontal axis. The device 10 is collapsible to a collapsed position to just over ½ its expanded size by volume by the telescopically engaged vertical and horizontal members forming it making it very easy to set up and to collapse later for storage. Of course additional smaller members making up the various telescopic components may make the device 10 collapsible to a smaller collapsed position and such is anticipated, the current preferred mode uses two components for all of the collapsible members for simplicity and to avoid the problems inherent to more moving parts.

As is common to all the preferred embodiments, the horizontal and vertical members forming the device 10 slidably or telescopically engage to allow the device 10 to move from an expanded position, ready for use to a collapsed position best depicted in FIG. 3 without the need for any disassembly of the parts. This provides easy set up and more importantly, easy removal from the field and storage or transport in a confined area like a trunk of a vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3 at least one upper or horizontal net support member 11 is provided which connects at distal ends to a first vertical support member 20 and second vertical support member 27 at an angle substantially perpendicular or normal thereto. The net support member 11 is formed from receiving a plurality of at least two slidably engaged components shown as member 12 and a translating member 14 with the receiving member 12 having an interior axial cavity adapted to allow the translating member 14 to telescopically slide therein in placing the device 12 in the collapsed mode.

The first vertical support member 20 is formed in a similar configuration of a plurality of at least two components shown as a receiving member 22 portion telescopically engaging over a translating member 24 portion of the vertical support member 20. Also, in a similar operational configuration the second vertical support member 27 is formed in at least two components with a receiving member 28 adapted for slidable or telescopic engagement over the translating member 30 portion of the second vertical support member 27.

Further shown, in the favored embodiments herein is a second horizontal net support member 32 formed of a plurality of at least two components in the form of a receiving member 34 and translating member 36 portion. It is important that the second horizontal net support member 32 if employed, as shown in all the favored embodiments, would be engaged with struts 33 in such a fashion as to position the second net support member 32 substantially parallel with the first net support member 11. It has been found through experimentation that this second horizontal net support member 32 provides a much more stable and rigid device 10 when in the expanded position and it is thus desirable to include it in the preferred mode of the device 10.

In use in all embodiments, the device 10 would be assembled from the depicted parts into a goal support for a net by sliding the respective vertical and horizontal translating members into an engagement with the respective receiving members. In the case of the vertical support members 20 and 27, a means for locking the translating portion into position into the receiving portion of the respective vertical member would be employed as a means to maintain the device 10 in an expanded position for use during the game.

Such a means for locking the two portions of the respective members in an expanded position is depicted as an outwardly biased pin 25 which is finger depressable, and will engage into apertures 26 formed in the wall of the respective receiving member portion of the vertical support members 20 and 27. The pin 25 would be depressed with a finger until the translating portion slides into the receiving portion of the vertical member. The pin 25 would then pop out of the aperture 26 when the translating portion of the respective vertical member is aligned to allow such.

Locking the base member 18 and the horizontal net support member 11 or 32 can be achieved using the same means for locking the two portions of the respective members in a registered engaged position not above with the depressable pin 24 operatively protruding from the wall of the translating members 14 and 36 and one of a plurality of apertures communicating through the wall of the receiving members 12 and 34.

A pair of base supports in the form of struts 19 are engaged to distal ends of the vertical support members 20 and 27 and rearward away from the goal opening 44 which is defined by the two vertical members and the net support member. In a less sturdy but slightly lighter weight embodiment of the device, the two struts 19 could provide ground support to the device 10. However the preferred mode of the device in all embodiments has a base member 15 extending from a connection between the rearward distal ends of the struts 19. The base member 15 would have a similar configuration to the other component members of the device 10 employing a translating portion 18 of the base member 15 that engages with an axial cavity in the receiving portion 16 of the base member.

Optionally, but preferred, as shown in the figures, a center support member 38 may also be employed for extra strength and rigidity of the device 10 when deployed. This component is included in the preferred mode of the device 10 and would operate in a similar fashion to all the other members forming the device 10 in that it is formed from at least two telescopic components shown as a receiving member 42 portion of the center support member 38 would translatably engage with a translating member 40 portion. At least one distal end of the center support member 38 is preferably rotationally engaged using a collar 43 that rotates on its engagement to the respective horizontal member on which it is engaged to allow for easy transition to the collapsed position. If both ends are engaged with such a collar 43, the center support member will still supply the added angled support while allowing the support member 38 to slide for collapsing the device 10. The same means for locking the two portions in and expanded position noted above would be employed.

The device 10 as shown and described would thus be easily stored in the collapsed position where it would occupy substantially less than 60% of its volumetric size in the expanded position where it would be used for a game with the net attached. Transition from the collapsed position to the expanded position, and back, is easily accomplished without the need to disassemble any of the various horizontal and vertical members forming the device 10 since they are all respectively telescopically engaged and substantially perpendicular to each other. The user simply needs to disengage the means to hold the components of the device 10 in the expanded position and collapse the device in at least two planes to the smaller collapsed position. Once so collapsed it is easily stored or transported. An additional benefit of not having to separate the parts to collapse the device 10 is provided by the fact that the goal net may remain attached during storage in the collapsed position since none of the various members forming the device 10 need be removed or disengaged.

Although the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, it should be realized that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. While the invention as shown in the drawings and described in detail herein discloses arrangements of elements of particular construction and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present invention, it is to be understood, however, that elements of different construction and configuration and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described, may be employed in accordance with the spirit of this invention. Any and all such changes, alterations and modifications, as would occur to those skilled in the art, are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims.

Further, the purpose of the attached abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 

1. A collapsible goal frame adapted for engagement of a net thereon comprising: a first vertical member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said first vertical member having an upper end and a lower end; a second vertical member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said second vertical member having an upper end and a lower end; a first upper horizontal member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said first upper horizontal member having a first end and a second end; means for engagement of said first end of said first upper horizontal member to said upper end of said first vertical member in a first engagement; means for engagement of said second end of said first upper horizontal member to said upper end of said second vertical member in a second engagement; a first base support member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said first base support member having a forward end and a rear end; a second base support member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said first base support member having a forward end and a rear end; means for engagement of said front end of said first base support member to said lower end of said first vertical member in a third engagement; means for engagement of said front end of said second base support member to said lower end of said second vertical member in a fourth engagement; said goal having a collapsed position and an expanded position; and means for maintaining said goal in said expanded position;
 2. The collapsible goal frame of claim 1 additionally comprising: said goal moveable between said collapsed position and said expanded position without disengagement of any of said first engagement, second engagement, third engagement and said fourth engagement.
 3. The collapsible goal frame of claim 1 additionally comprising: said goal frame in said collapsed position occupying substantially 60% or less volumetric area than said goal frame in said expanded position.
 4. The collapsible goal frame of claim 2 additionally comprising: said goal frame in said collapsed position occupying substantially 60% or less volumetric area than said goal frame in said expanded position.
 5. The collapsible goal frame of claim 1 additionally comprising: a third base support member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said third base support member having a first end and a second end; means for substantially perpendicular engagement of said first end of said third base support to said first base support; and means for substantially perpendicular engagement of said second end of said third base support to said second base support.
 6. The collapsible goal frame of claim 2 additionally comprising: a third base support member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said third base support member having a first end and a second end; means for substantially perpendicular engagement of said first end of said third base support to said first base support; and means for substantially perpendicular engagement of said second end of said third base support to said second base support.
 7. The collapsible goal frame of claim 3 additionally comprising: a third base support member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said third base support member having a first end and a second end; means for substantially perpendicular engagement of said first end of said third base support to said first base support; and means for substantially perpendicular engagement of said second end of said third base support to said second base support.
 8. The collapsible goal frame of claim 4 additionally comprising: a third base support member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said third base support member having a first end and a second end; means for substantially perpendicular engagement of said first end of said third base support to said first base support; and means for substantially perpendicular engagement of said second end of said third base support to said second base support.
 9. The collapsible goal frame of claim 5 additionally comprising: a center support member, said support member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said center support member having a first end and a second end; means for engagement of said first end of said center support member to a center section of said third base support member; and means for engagement of said second end of said center support member to a center section of said upper horizontal support member.
 10. The collapsible goal frame of claim 6 additionally comprising: a center support member, said support member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said center support member having a first end and a second end; means for engagement of said first end of said center support member to a center section of said third base support member; and means for engagement of said second end of said center support member to a center section of said upper horizontal support member.
 11. The collapsible goal frame of claim 7 additionally comprising: a center support member, said support member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said center support member having a first end and a second end; means for engagement of said first end of said center support member to a center section of said third base support member; and means for engagement of said second end of said center support member to a center section of said upper horizontal support member.
 12. The collapsible goal frame of claim 8 additionally comprising: a center support member, said support member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said center support member having a first end and a second end; means for engagement of said first end of said center support member to a center section of said third base support member; and means for engagement of said second end of said center support member to a center section of said upper horizontal support member.
 13. The collapsible goal frame of claim 9 additionally comprising: at least one of said means for engagement of said first end of said center support member to a center section of said third base support member and said means for engagement of said second end of said center support member to a center section of said upper horizontal support member, providing a rotational engagement thereto.
 14. The collapsible goal frame of claim 10 additionally comprising: at least one of said means for engagement of said first end of said center support member to a center section of said third base support member and said means for engagement of said second end of said center support member to a center section of said upper horizontal support member, providing a rotational engagement thereto.
 15. The collapsible goal frame of claim 1 additionally comprising: a second upper horizontal support member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said second upper horizontal support member having a first end and a second end; and struts extending between said first upper horizontal support member and said second upper horizontal support member.
 16. The collapsible goal frame of claim 2 additionally comprising: a second upper horizontal support member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said second upper horizontal support member having a first end and a second end; and struts extending between said first upper horizontal support member and said second upper horizontal support member.
 17. The collapsible goal frame of claim 3 additionally comprising: a second upper horizontal support member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said second upper horizontal support member having a first end and a second end; and struts extending between said first upper horizontal support member and said second upper horizontal support member.
 18. The collapsible goal frame of claim 5 additionally comprising: a second upper horizontal support member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said second upper horizontal support member having a first end and a second end; and struts extending between said first upper horizontal support member and said second upper horizontal support member.
 19. The collapsible goal frame of claim 18 additionally comprising: a center support member, said support member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said center support member having a first end and a second end; means for engagement of said first end of said center support member to a center section of said third base support member; and means for engagement of said second end of said center support member to a center section of said second upper horizontal support member.
 20. A collapsible goal frame comprising: a first vertical member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said first vertical member having an upper end and a lower end; a second vertical member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said second vertical member having an upper end and a lower end; a first upper horizontal member formed of at least two telescopically engaged component members, said first upper horizontal member having a first end and a second end; means for engagement of said first end of said first upper horizontal member to said upper end of said first vertical member in a first engagement; means for engagement of said second end of said first upper horizontal member to said upper end of said second vertical member in a second engagement; a first base support member, said first base support member having a forward end and a rear end; a second base support member, said first base support member having a forward end and a rear end; means for engagement of said front end of said first base support member to said lower end of said first vertical member in a third engagement; means for engagement of said front end of said second base support member to said lower end of said second vertical member in a fourth engagement; said goal having a collapsed position and an expanded position; said goal moveable between said collapsed position and said expanded position without disengagement of any of said first engagement, second engagement, third engagement and said fourth engagement; and means for maintaining said goal in said expanded position. 